The co-ordinated strikes, which took place early this morning, were the result of a long-running operation, code-named 'Magnet' tackling drugs barons operating in the West Denton, Westerhope and Lemington areas of Newcastle.

Cash and drugs have already been seized in the probe, which has so far seen 12 people arrested.

And Northumbria Police officers have confiscated £100,000 cash.

Fifteen warrants were executed and 10 arrests were made this morning in the early morning strikes.

Nine men aged 46, 42, 38, two aged 34, 33, 31, 24 and 22 are being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, and a 46-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to conceal criminal property.

They are all currently in police custody.

The Chronicle joined police on a raid at a house on Darden Lough in West Denton, at just after 8.15am today.

Dressed in riot gear, with battering rams in their hands cops stormed the end terrace home as neighbours watched on.

And while school children in uniforms watched from the windows of nearby homes a stocky man in tracksuit bottoms and a T.shirt was lead out the house in handcuffs.

Officers will spend the coming hours searching the home and others raided at the same time.

The raids took place at Trevelyan Drive, Newbiggin Hall, Fairspring, Dunstan Walk, Darden Lough and Downham, all West Denton, The Shopping Centre at Chapel House, Farnham Close in Lemington, Hewley Crescent at Throckley, Colwyne Place, Saint Just Place and Yatesbury Avenue in Blakelaw, Hartburn Drive at Westerhope, Dunns Way in Blaydon, Gateshead, Tudor Walk at Kingston Park, and Hanover Mill in the city centre.

Arrests began on March 8 when nine people were brought in for questioning, one from London, three from Lemington and four men and four men and one woman from Westerhope.

Three other men from Newcastle were arrested on March 11 after handing themselves in.

Around £98,000 of the seized cash was found in a van that was stopped on its way to London.

And on the same day police found an amphetamine preparation factory when they raided a home at Queen's Court in Newcastle and 8kg of amphetamine and mixing substances were found.

Northumbria Police's Newcastle Area Commander, Chief Supt Gary Calvert said: "As can be clearly seen, significant amounts of drugs and cash have been involved in this suspected organised crime group and this can only have a negative impact on communities.

"Officers have already put a lot of work into identifying the people involved and taking action.

"Today is the culmination of those efforts where more people have been arrested. Drugs have a devastating impact on both individuals involved in use and supply and the wider community where they live."